Rewarding Your Employees Over The Holidays

At the end of the year business owners are always looking for ways to recognize and reward their spa employees for a year of hard work and dedication. The benefits of recognizing and appreciating employees are numerous.

Here are a few of the best ones:

Retain top talentInspire team to keep up the great workEncourage employees to go the extra mileFoster a positive and healthy work enviornmentIncrease company loyalty

The ultimate goal is to make praise and recognition part of the culture of your spa business. When you are thinking of ways to recognize and reward an employee, be sure to make it related to something specific, and let the team know. The rush of the season can sometimes leave staff wondering if they have been forgotten.

With that in mind, we decided to compile a list of easy ways to let your staff know you care:

Have a Standing O Party – Create fun and more serious awards for your employees to be presented as a group. Talk about the employee and what they have accomplished such as: highest retail sales, highest customer service ratings, best waxer, and nail artist. Each employee has a strength, think about it and let them know.

Personal Notes– Write each employee a handwritten note letting them know that you really appreciate what they do for you every day. Let them know that their presence and efforts are not unseen.

Create a Wall of Fame – In your break room, recognize your staff members for good deeds and services done. You can have a recognition box where others leave notes of appreciation for others on their team. Having staff led by example and being recognized will foster goodwill for your business.

Employee Black Friday Sale – The holiday time is a perfect time to allow your team to purchase the products they love for themselves, friends or family at cost. If you’re willing to go a step further, utilize your vendors to purchase really cool gifts at a discount or using marketing bucks built up throughout the year. Everyone loves good products!

Have a Party– Everyone loves to chill out and feel the holiday spirit. Take the time to plan an after work event that you cater so your staff can socialize together. Be a secret santa and have a small token of appreciation for your team members. Be sure to bring in goodies and special treats for the break room.

Cash Bonus – While money is a short-term motivator, it is very much appreciated over the holidays.

Bonus Day Off – You can offer your staff a bonus day off to be used the following year (with approval of course).

Recognize Staff Publicly – Share your top team members with your customers. Put a profile on social media and on your website.

Get Healthy – As a reward, you can offer an annual gym membership or series of yoga classes.

Have FUN – Plan an offsite party, such as a paint night, bowling, comedy night or concert. Connecting with your staff outside of your business helps to develop a team relationship.

Recognize Personal Wins – Implement a system to recognize a spa employee’s personal wins, such as reaching a weight loss goal, completing a run, volunteer work, and birthdays. Praise should be year round. It could be a $10 gift card to Starbucks or a gas card.

There are hundreds of fun ways to recognize your spa employees this season and all year. These are just a few to get you thinking. Remember to be authentic and tailor your appreciation in a personal and meaningful way. If you have any ways you reward and recognize your staff, please share.